Climate

When to Visit Santa Cruz CountyWith great year-round weather, there's no "best" time to visit Santa Cruz. With a calendar bursting with fun annual events and festivals, plus a climate that's great for enjoying the outdoors all year, Santa Cruz County welcomes visitors all throughout the year. Take a look at the season descriptions below, check the Santa Cruz County Visitors Center for events and things to do, and pick the time of year that works best for your schedule. Whatever month you select to join us, you'll have a great vacation in Santa Cruz.

Season by Season in Santa Cruz County

SummerSummer is high season in Santa Cruz County. The beaches are full, outdoor concerts and beach events are in full swing, and most attractions are open every day. Mornings can be foggy in some of Santa Cruz's microclimates, but the sun usually manages to burn through by the afternoon. Visit the Santa Cruz area in June, July, and August to catch most of the beach and water-focused activities, Don't forget your sunscreen because you probably won't see a drop of rain in Santa Cruz County in the summer.

FallAsk Santa Cruzans, and they'll probably tell you their favorite season is fall in Santa Cruz. The summer visitors have left, the weather is some of the sunniest of the year, and there's tons to do. Join us in September, October, and November to enjoy uncrowded beaches and your choice of events, including the air show, festivals, triathalons, county fair, birding festival, art studio tours, film festival, wine tasting, and more. We usually see our first drops of rain in mid-autumn, so bring a small umbrella, just in case!

WinterWinters in Santa Cruz are mild and are a great time to visit. Even the animals agree: Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles to overwinter in Santa Cruz eucalyptus groves, elephant seals return to north county beachs to spend the winter and find a mate, and visitors come from around the world to enjoy our relatively warm winter. If you're in Santa Cruz in December, January, or February, don't miss the holiday festivities, shopping at county stores and boutiques. It's our rainy season, which brings out the beautiful green on the hillsides, so don't forget an umbrella.

SpringSpring comes early in Santa Cruz: daffodills are usually up by the time other parts of the country are still worrying about groundhogs seeing their shadows. By March, April, and May, Santa Cruz County is enjoying warm weather, sunny skies, and lots of outdoor activities. Visit the Santa Cruz area in the springtime to get a jump on summer sunbathing, enjoy the kayak surf festival, go whalewatching, go wine tasting, or spend an afternoon at a music festival.

ClimateSanta Cruz County has many micro climes which can vary in temperature . The mountain regions tend toward cooler winters and hotter summers while Santa Cruz has mild weather throughout the year, enjoying a Mediterranean climate characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, mostly dry summers. Due to its proximity to Monterey Bay, fog and low overcast are common during the night and morning hours, especially in the summer.​

​Is it sunny in Santa Cruz?

Before you jump in your car to drive to Santa Cruz, you can answer the important question of "Is it foggy in Santa Cruz?" by checking out one of many webcams in Santa Cruz. And, as anyone who has been to Santa Cruz knows, a foggy start to the morning can end with one of the most beautiful, sunny days at the beach as the fog lifts and the sun comes out to shine on our beautiful beaches and mountains!